Incanto's Meat

After the recommendation of numerous people, I paid a visit to Incanto in Noe Valley recently.  I love places like this, slightly off the beaten path, neighborhood patrons, a destination spot.  Before being seated I always enjoy a drink at the bar, it allows me to absorb the atmosphere of a place, to watch the tempo and flow of service and to get a feel for the menu.  I was thrilled with the wine list, mostly Italian and mostly wines that I had never tried, and served by the glass, half-glass, half-liter, as well as themed flights.  This is something I am seeing more and more of, it is great to be able to taste and enjoy a wider variety of wines, especially when you have a many course meal.

The food was good.  Not great though, which surprised me, as Incanto has been compared to A16 (which I love) and Delfina.  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't that we had a bad meal, I just didn't have one of those "Oh My God this is FANTASTIC" meals.  A particular standout, however, was the Antipasto Platter of porchetta, mortadella, country pate, salumi, head cheese & mustard, Tuscan pecorino & roasted garlic.  Not only was this platter beautifully presented, but the porchetta and salami were incredibly flavored and perfect with the pecorino.  The rough, rustic pate was excellent, one of the best I've had.  We split this four ways, but I really just wanted the whole thing for myself.

I will return to Incanto because I believe that this is a great place, and based on the quality of the recommendations, I think it deserves a second chance.  Next time I will try the pork ragu or maybe the hanger steak, but I am definitely going to get the Antipasto again.

Incanto
1550 Church Street
San Francisco, CA
415-641-4500

Comments

[Sam]

Hey Molly - Check out my own Incanto Review. It attracted a lot of comments from people (including lot of respected SF bloggers) who all felt a little non-plussed about Incanto like you did. I read some earlier rave reviews on Chowhound as well which is why I went. But I felt a little "so what" about it, so please don't think you are the odd one out.

[Molly]

You totally nailed it. I loved that they bring you fizzy water, and I loved the tags on the wine glasses. But the 5% charge? That just means I'll leave a 15% tip so that's up to them. And the service was -meh- nice but not all that knowledgable about recommendations and the wine. The desserts were also nothing special and a little weird actually.

Anyway, it seems like it has more misses than hits but I'd be willing to try it again...

[Fatemeh]

After everything I've read and heard about Incanto, I think I'm sticking with Bacco in that neighborhood.

[Arthur]

I've also been wanting to try Incanto after reading a lot of praise, but it seems as though people have become lukewarm about it lately. I wonder if it's gone downhill, or was just overhyped to begin with.

[shuna]

I really think that Incanto is doing some food no one else is in SF. Hyping them is like hyping Chez Panisse---you will always be disappointed. Because Chris (Cosentino, the chef) is not trying to dazzle anyone. Maybe the opposite. Bring you back to earth. The land. An original place--- in both ways.
I think going there is like going to a castle that's a little dark and mysterious. The meal is heavy, meat laden and seasonal. this is what you should expect. Oliveto and Delfina it is not.
But it is still very worthwhile. Especially if you are in the mood to try something off the beaten track with meat. I tasted tripe here for the first time. And head cheese. I trusted Chris and I'll be back when I want that sort of meal again.
And hey--- weird desserts, whether they are spectacular or not, push our limits, make us try new things and sometimes delight us in new and intriguing ways!